How Will the Chicago Cubs Handle Their Outfield Surplus?
By Travis Koch
An outfield surplus will give the Chicago Cubs at least a little stress this spring. Somehow they will need to find a combination of Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist, Albert Almora Jr. and Kyle Schwarber to settle in the outfield.
The Chicago Cubs are the envy of every team in baseball. They have the deepest pitching staff, the most exciting offense, the highest ceiling and the most publicity. They are far and away the favorites to win the 2017 World Series. Oh, and maybe their most arrogant attribute, the Cubs have too many good players.
All of Chicago’s coveted prospects have arrived. Willson Contreras will start his first Opening Day, as will Javier Baez. Kyle Schwarber will return to the lineup at full health and Albert Almora Jr. will compete for a starting outfield spot. Add the customary starters – Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist – and the Cubs have nine worthy starters. Unfortunately, the lineup can only fit eight (with the pitcher being the ninth). Someone will have to take a back seat in 2017, at least initially.
Per usual, Ben Zobrist will act as the most appreciated inconvenience. The 35-year-old proved his value last season, slashing .272/.386/.466 and knocking 18 home runs. He is one of the very few players who walked more than struck out, having drawn 96 walks to 82 strikeouts. Zobrist is the truest of team players. It was only fitting that he drove in the game-winning run in Game 7 of the World Series to end the Cubs’ 108-year championship drought. He is simply too impactful to keep out of a lineup.
That being said, Zobrist will have to start somewhere on Opening Day. The likely spot would be right field. Now the focus transitions to the usual right fielder, Jason Heyward. Heyward did few things well in 2016. However, an area in which he remains elite is his defense. He was second on the team in defensive runs saved last season, behind only Addison Russell. Heyward ranked 14th in MLB in DRS with 14. Hence, the Cubs may very well slot him in center field to start the season. Neither Zobrist nor Schwarber are legitimate center fielders, so Heyward has to be the guy.
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By default, the real race throughout Spring Training could be between Heyward and Almora Jr. Heyward’s struggles at the plate were glaring in 2016; an uninspiring camp could potentially sideline him to start the season. In contrast, an inspiring spring from Almora Jr. could win him the job. It will definitely be a race to watch over the next month and a half. Frankly, the edge will likely go to the player who will make $28 million this year rather than the one making the league minimum.